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So we're applying for a mortgage for a shared ownership. IF it goes ahead I want to try and overpay a little every month and save up for the deposit for the 2nd half.
If it doesn't go ahead I want to save up more deposit. Either way I need to try and stay accountable!

The first 2 years or so for the vast majority in a new house is tough, as people naturally stretch themselves to get the best they can. I know people have had much worse interest rates than us but when we bought in 2006 we could only afford interest only mortgage (would never have gotten such a big mortgage in the post financial crash world). Every 3 months for the first 18 months the interest rates went up. We went from approx £690 to £900 a month, but we found a way due to budgets and discipline. And now it was all worth it, and i still like eating baked beans on toast!!

My advice is not to look too far ahead, and i'd suggest 5yrs is too far. Focus on the next 3-6 months, then re-evaluate and go again!

And whatever does happen having your diary to vent, share and seek advice/reassurance is a fantastic asset.

Thanks! Yes, if we can survive the first month of necessary expenses (which we should be able to do, if we're careful, and do a lot of DIY) it should be much easier after that to build a budget, as we won't have huge expenses once the flooring is done. We've already got most of the furniture apart from a fridge, and we'll probably only get a cheap one for the foreseeable future. That's the good thing about a new build, there shouldn't be any expensive issues any time soon (hopefully not famous last words)

Transferred another £12 to rent account to round it up to £2600. We now have enough for solicitors fees and this month's rent. My husband will get paid at the end of the month and will cover next (and hopefully last) months rent. I did some calculations last night to see how much we should have left for flooring but completely forgot that the rent portion of the S/O is due in advance, so we might not have as much for flooring as previously planned.

We're trying to keep groceries to £60/week but I think we can try and shrink that expense a little more.

And I read that underlay quality is more important than carpet, but I'm not convinced a very cheap carpet will really work, but I guess we just need to go to see samples, because if the cheapest carpet is not too bad, we could save a fair bit. We're only looking to carpet bedrooms and stairs, as the children keep spilling things in the living areas, so we want a wipeable flooring downstairs (not sure what type yet, they all seem to have their pros and cons. And the cost is an issue)

TT another £3. Pretty impressed I've managed to transfer almost £100 since the beginning of the diary. And I know I would have spent quite a bit of that had I left it in my current account. My husband should be able to transfer a substantial amount today as he worked a second job last month, although we've had a few unexpected expenses, so we haven't been able to save as much as originally planned but we haven't had to dip in our savings to cover the costs, so it's all good.

Expensive underlay can really make a huge difference. When they came to do our hall, much later than the rest of the house because the original carpet had been ripped, they didn't have the underlay we'd ordered, only the more expensive one. It feels like a completely different carpet as a result - much much thicker and more cushy to walk on. I would definitely consider really good underlay with maybe a second or third cheapest carpet range.

We didn't opt for carpets in most of our rooms, but a key tip from people who had houses and experience was to pay more for the better underlay in high-traffic areas such as hallways and the stairs. Spare bedrooms or even master bedrooms could have a slightly cheaper underlay as they won't have anywhere near as much treading on over time.

Your savings are going well, and like you I have to move cash out of accounts to prevent it being frittered away and to give me motivation when I see the figures building

We didn't opt for carpets in most of our rooms, but a key tip from people who had houses and experience was to pay more for the better underlay in high-traffic areas such as hallways and the stairs. Spare bedrooms or even master bedrooms could have a slightly cheaper underlay as they won't have anywhere near as much treading on over time.

Your savings are going well, and like you I have to move cash out of accounts to prevent it being frittered away and to give me motivation when I see the figures building

That's a thought! We hardly use our bedroom except to sleep so that would be a way to save some money.
We know we don't want carpet downstairs, but still trying to weigh up the different flooring options, to see what should be the most child proof/budget proof. We keep going from the cheapest option of vinyl to the most expensive of wood. It will really depend on how much we have managed to save in the next month.

The rent account is looking healthy but it's not for long, as the fees and rent are going to be due soon. Hopefully we've started a habit which we can continue long term.

In my first house I wanted the look of the same carpets throughout the upstairs rooms but didn't have the budget for it, but managed to find carpet remnants all within a shade or two of the same colour that saved a small fortune. Good luck

We'll have a look for remnants, we aren't too fussy (as long as they are the right size.)

My husband thinks the living room is just concrete at the moment, so at a push we could leave it as it is for a month or two to save up for more expensive flooring, as it won't get damaged. I thought it was board so we'll find out when (if) we get the keys.

Today we should find out a bit more about the mortgage progression. We're going through a broker who updates us twice a week. The valuation happened last week, and apparently they were checking our paperwork yesterday. Hoping it all goes smoothly, as we're already imagining ourselves living there... it's going to be rough if it falls through now...

Thanks!!
I'm hoping the solicitors will be as fast, and that we can move by the end of September. Already trying to think of what we can start packing, although I probably shouldn't jump the gun too soon.

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